Precal Fail

[Hambone]

7(2.1)^3x = 2(4.5)^x

I've looked at other resources (my textbook is a joke) and they all seem to give simpler examples where the exponent - if x at all - will only be on one side. Would I divide one of the coefficients first. Take the log of both sides? I don't even know where to start.

[rubah]

OH GOD MY COGNITIVE GEARS ARE A RUMBLIN'

anyway, don't have to divide, just take the log of each side; dividing first would net you the same result, which is
ln(7) + 3xln(2.1) = ln(2) + xln(4.5)

then just solve for x. this takes advantage of the log rule that says ln(x*y) = ln(x)+ln(y)

(I got like -1.73etc)

[Hambone]

Ahh, thanks. I always forget to look at these problems from the perspective of the log properties.